Every player, coach, and even the owner on this roster has ties to Syracuse football, whether they played for the Orange or started their careers on the sidelines at the Dome. This team blends past legends with modern stars to form the ultimate Syracuse NFL lineup.
Owner: Al Davis — Before he became the iconic Raiders owner and Hall of Famer, Al Davis coached Syracuse’s freshman team in 1950.
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Tom Coughlin — Former Syracuse halfback (1964–67) turned two-time Super Bowl champion coach with the Giants.
Offensive Coordinator: Doug Marrone — Revived the Orange as head coach from 2009–12 before jumping to the NFL.
Defensive Coordinator: Nick Saban — Yes, that Nick Saban. He was an assistant coach at Syracuse in 1977 before becoming one of the greatest college coaches ever.
Offense
QB: Donovan McNabb — The best quarterback in Syracuse history. Four-year starter, Big East titles, and a Fiesta Bowl trip. Later became a six-time Pro Bowler with the Eagles.
RB: Larry Csonka — SU legend. Went on to win two Super Bowls and make the Hall of Fame with Miami.
FB: Jim Brown — Simply the G.O.A.T. All-American at Syracuse, three-time NFL MVP, and one of the greatest athletes of all time. Started the #44 tradition.
TE: John Mackey — A case can be made that Mackey is the greatest tight end of all time. NFL champion, Hall of Famer and has a major college football award named after him, the John Mackey Award, which is given out annually to the best tight end in the sport.
WR: Marvin Harrison Sr. — SU standout in the ‘90s and NFL Hall of Famer with Peyton Manning and the Colts.
WR: Art Monk — Syracuse All-American who won three Super Bowls with Washington.
WR: Rob Moore — Consensus All-American in 1989. Two-time NFL Pro Bowler and SU assistant coach.
LT: Stan Walters — Reliable Orange tackle who became a Pro Bowler for the Eagles.
LG: Walt Sweeney — Former first-round pick. Nine-time AFL/NFL All-Star.
C: Jim Ringo — Anchored Syracuse’s line before becoming a Hall of Fame center for the Packers.
RG: Al Bemiller — Key blocker on Syracuse’s 1959 national title team and longtime Buffalo Bill.
RT: John Brown — More than just a basic name. Steady Orange lineman who played for the Chargers and Seahawks.
Defense (3–4 base)
DE: Dwight Freeney — One of the best pass rushers ever. 125.5 career sacks and a Hall of Famer.
DE: Rob Burnett — Syracuse standout and Super Bowl champion with the legendary 2000 Ravens.
DT: Ken Clarke — Late ’70s SU defensive tackle who played 11 NFL seasons.
LB: Keith Bulluck — First-round pick in 2000. Racked up more than 1,100 career tackles.
LB: Jim Collins — SU All-American and Pro Bowler with the Rams.
LB: Zaire Franklin — Three-time SU captain, now leading the Colts in tackles every year.
LB: Otis Wilson — Key part of the 1985 Bears’ legendary defense (Wilson spent one year at Syracuse before transferring to Louisville for his final three seasons in college).
CB: Will Allen — Reliable DB who spent 11 years with the Giants and Dolphins.
CB: Tebucky Jones — SU star and Super Bowl champ with the Patriots.
S: Tom Myers — 1960s Syracuse safety and All-Pro with the Saints.
S: Donovin Darius — First-round pick in 1998, nine seasons with the Jaguars.
Special Teams
K: Gary Anderson — Before becoming one of the NFL’s all-time leading scorers, he kicked for the Orange.
P: Riley Dixon — Former Syracuse punter now with the Seahawks.
All-Purpose: Qadry Ismail — Star receiver and returner at SU who won a Super Bowl with the 2000 Ravens.